While officials insist it’s optional, digital rights groups and analysts warn it could soon be mandatory for accessing most online platforms, from shopping on Taobao to chatting on WeChat. To sign up, users must download a government app, submit their national ID, and pass facial recognition. In return, they get a unique web number and digital certificate for logging into various services. The government pitches this as a cybersecurity win, promising smoother verification and safer online interactions.